Communication inhibiting device and communication inhibiting system

ABSTRACT

A communication inhibiting apparatus is provided with: disturbing wave generating means for generating a disturbing wave signal which disturbs communications to and from a portable telephone or similar communication terminal equipment; and disturbing wave emitting means for emitting the signal generated by said disturbing wave generating means, as said disturbing wave, to said communication terminal equipment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Application is a continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP99/04027, whose International filing date is Jul. 27, 1999,the disclosures of which Application are incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to acommunication inhibiting device and a communication inhibiting systemfor inhibiting the use of a portable telephone or similar communicationterminal equipment at a place where its use is undesirable.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]FIG. 1 is a diagram explanatory of a conventional method forinhibiting communications to and from communication terminal equipmentsuch as a portable telephone or the like. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1denotes an automobile or similar mobile unit, and 11 denotes a portabletelephone or similar communication terminal equipment.

[0005] Next, the operation of the prior art example will be described.

[0006] Prior to the start of driving the mobile unit 1, a driver powersoff the communication terminal equipment 11, sets it in an automaticanswering mode or drive mode, or performs a similar manipulation toprevent the communication terminal equipment from receiving an incomingcall after starting to drive, and during driving the driver himself doesnot make a call so as to avoid the use of the communication terminalequipment 11.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting a conventionalcommunication-inhibiting device for a portable telephone or similarcommunication terminal equipment that is used in a theater or the like.In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a theater; 11 denotescommunication terminal equipment such as a portable telephone; 12denotes disturbing wave generating means for generating a disturbingwave signal; and 13 denotes disturbing wave emitting antennas(disturbing wave emitting means). The communication-inhibiting device iscomposed of the disturbing wave generating means 12 and the disturbingwave emitting antennas 13.

[0008] Next, the operation of the communication-inhibiting device ofFIG. 2 will be described below.

[0009] The disturbing wave generating means 12 and the disturbing waveemitting antennas 13 generate a widely spread disturbing wave of arelatively high intensity to disturb communications to and from thecommunication terminal equipment 11 to thereby inhibit its use.

[0010] The prior art example of FIG. 1 leaves it to the discretion ofthe user of the communication terminal equipment 11 or the driver of themobile unit 1 whether to use the communication terminal equipment 11;that is, the prior art has no compelling force to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment.

[0011] The prior art example of FIG. 2 generates a widely spreaddisturbing wave of a relatively high intensity to produce the intendedeffect throughout the theater 2; hence, if the disturbing wavegenerating means 12 and the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13 areinstalled on the mobile unit 1 or the like, the disturbing wave spreadsthroughout and out of the mobile unit, producing the problem ofhampering the use of the communication terminal equipment 11 by not onlythe driver and fellow passengers but also people around the car.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is intended to solve such problems asmentioned above, and has for its object to provide a communicationinhibiting apparatus and a communication inhibiting system which inhibitcommunications to and from the communication terminal equipment 11 suchas a portable telephone or the like at places where it is undesirable touse the communication terminal equipment 11.

[0013] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to an aspect ofthe present invention is provided with: disturbing wave generating meansfor generating a disturbing wave signal which disturbs communications toand from a portable telephone or similar communication terminalequipment; and disturbing wave emitting means for emitting the signalgenerated by said disturbing wave generating means, as said disturbingwave, to said communication terminal equipment.

[0014] With this apparatus, it is possible to forcibly inhibitcommunications to and from the communication terminal equipment at aplace where its use is undesirable.

[0015] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention has the disturbing wave emitting means embeddedin the driver's seat of an automobile or similar mobile unit.

[0016] Accordingly, the disturbing wave emitting means can be installedout of the way.

[0017] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention is provided with: travel/stop detecting meansfor detecting whether the automobile or similar mobile unit is travelingor stationary; and control means which, upon detecting the travel ofsaid mobile unit by said travel/stop detecting means, controls thedisturbing wave generating means to generate the disturbing wave signaland, upon detecting the stop of said mobile unit by said travel/stopdetecting means, controls said disturbing wave generating means todiscontinue the generation of said disturbing wave signal.

[0018] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment during driving of the mobile unit.

[0019] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention uses, as the travel/stop detecting means, speeddetecting means for detecting the speed of the mobile unit.

[0020] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment during driving of the mobile unit.

[0021] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention uses a handbrake of the mobile unit as thetravel/stop detecting means.

[0022] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment during driving of the mobile unit.

[0023] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention is provided with control means for controllingthe disturbing wave generating means to generate the disturbing wavesignal intermittently in the form of pulses.

[0024] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment at a place where its use is undesirableand to cut the power consumption of the disturbing wave generatingmeans.

[0025] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention is provided with: transmitted wave detectingmeans for detecting a transmitted wave from the communication terminalequipment; and control means for controlling the disturbing wavegenerating means to generate the disturbing wave signal upon detectingsaid transmitted wave by said transmitted wave detecting means.

[0026] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment at a place where its use is undesirableand to cut the power consumption of the disturbing wave generatingmeans.

[0027] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention is provided with antenna duplexer means forsupplying the disturbing wave emitting means with the disturbing wavesignal generated by the disturbing wave generating means and forsupplying the transmitted wave detecting means with the transmitted wavefrom the communication terminal equipment received from said disturbingwave emitting means.

[0028] Accordingly, it is also possible to use the disturbing waveemitting means to receive the transmitted wave from the communicationterminal equipment.

[0029] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention is adapted so that the control means controlsthe disturbing wave generating means to generate the disturbing wavesignal a predetermined time after the detection of the transmitted waveby the transmitted wave detecting means.

[0030] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment at a place where its use is undesirableand to receive and transmit a data signal or a control signal within apredetermined time.

[0031] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention is provided with storage means for storingfrequency channel information on various mobile communication systemsand is adapted so that, upon detecting the transmitted wave from thecommunication terminal equipment by the transmitted wave detectingmeans, the control means estimates, based on the frequency channelinformation stored in said storage means, the receiving frequency ofsaid communication terminal equipment which is used corresponding to thefrequency of said transmitted wave, and controls the frequency of thedisturbing wave signal which is generated by the disturbing wavegenerating means.

[0032] Accordingly, it is possible to cut the power consumption of thedisturbing wave generating means, narrow the band of the disturbing waveand hence prevent disturbing operations other than the intended one.

[0033] A communication inhibiting apparatus according to another aspectof the present invention is provided with storage means for storingfrequency band information and TDMA slot information on the time axis ofTDMA mobile communication systems and is adapted so that, upon detectingthe transmitted wave from the communication terminal equipment by thetransmitted wave detecting means, the control means estimates, based onthe frequency band information and the TDMA slot information stored insaid storage means, the receiving frequency of the communicationterminal equipment which is used corresponding to the frequency of saidtransmitted wave, and controls the frequency and generation timing ofthe disturbing wave signal which is generated by the disturbing wavegenerating means.

[0034] Accordingly, it is possible to cut the power consumption of thedisturbing wave generating means, narrow the band of the disturbing waveand hence prevent disturbing operations other than the intended one.

[0035] A communication inhibiting system according to another aspect ofthe present invention is provided with: beacon signal generating meansfor generating a beacon signal of a predetermined frequency to a limitedarea; and a portable telephone or similar communication terminalequipment which detects the beacon signal generated by said beaconsignal generating means and turns off its communication function.

[0036] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment at a place where its use isundesirable.

[0037] A communication inhibiting system according to another aspect ofthe present invention is adapted so that the beacon signal generatingmeans generates an infrared-ray or similar optical signal as the beaconsignal.

[0038] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment at a relatively small place where itsuse is undesirable.

[0039] A communication inhibiting system according to another aspect ofthe present invention is adapted so that the beacon signal generatingmeans is installed in the driver's seat of an automobile or similarmobile unit.

[0040] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment in the driver's seat of a mobile unitand install the beacon signal generating means out of the way.

[0041] A communication inhibiting system according to another aspect ofthe present invention is adapted so that, upon detecting the beaconsignal, the communication terminal equipment is set in an automaticanswering mode.

[0042] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment at a place where its use is undesirableand to record received messages.

[0043] A communication inhibiting system according to another aspect ofthe present invention is adapted so that when the communication terminalequipment keeps its communication function off after the detection ofthe beacon signal, a call to a pre-registered emergency contact addressis enabled.

[0044] Accordingly, it is possible to deal with an emergency flexibly.

[0045] A communication inhibiting system according to another aspect ofthe present invention is provided with notifying means for notifying auser of the communication terminal equipment that its communicationfunction is off when the communication terminal equipment keeps thecommunication function off after the detection of the beacon signal.

[0046] Accordingly, it is possible for the user to learn that thecommunication function is off.

[0047] A communication inhibiting system according to another aspect ofthe present invention is provided with: travel/stop detecting means fordetecting whether the automobile or similar mobile unit is traveling orstationary; and control means which, upon detecting the travel of saidmobile unit by said travel/stop detecting means, controls the beaconsignal generating means to generate the beacon signal and, upondetecting the stop of said mobile unit by said travel/stop detectingmeans, controls said beacon signal generating means to discontinue thegeneration of said beacon signal.

[0048] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment while the mobile unit is traveling.

[0049] A communication inhibiting system according to another aspect ofthe present invention is provided with control means for controlling thebeacon signal generating means to generate the beacon signalintermittently in the form of pulses.

[0050] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment at a place where its use is undesirableand to cut the power consumption of the beacon signal generating means.

[0051] A communication inhibiting system according to still anotheraspect of the present invention is provided with: transmitted wavedetecting means for detecting a transmitted wave from the communicationterminal equipment; and control means for controlling the beacon signalgenerating means to generate the beacon signal upon detecting saidtransmitted wave by said transmitted wave detecting means.

[0052] Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment at a place where its use is undesirableand to cut the power consumption of the beacon signal generating means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053]FIG. 1 is a diagram explanatory of a conventional method forinhibiting communications;

[0054]FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting the configuration of a conventionalcommunication inhibiting apparatus;

[0055]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0056]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0057]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0058]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0059]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0060]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the timing for the emission ofdisturbing waves according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0061]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0062]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation timing of communicationterminal equipment and disturbing wave generating means according to asixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0063]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0064]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation timing of communicationterminal equipment and disturbing wave generating means according to aneighth embodiment of the present invention;

[0065]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a ninth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0066]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between a transmitfrequency of communication terminal equipment and a disturbing wavefrequency according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

[0067]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the transmission timing ofcommunication terminal equipment and the disturbing wave emission timingaccording to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0068]FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to an eleventh embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0069]FIG. 17 is a diagram explanatory of the operation of communicationterminal equipment according to the eleventh embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0070]FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a twelfth embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0071]FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a thirteenth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0072]FIG. 20 is a diagram explanatory of the operation of communicationterminal equipment according to a fourteenth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0073]FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a fifteenth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0074]FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to sixteenth embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0075]FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a seventeenth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0076]FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to an eighteenth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0077]FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the timing for the emission of abeacon signal according to the eighteenth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0078]FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a nineteenth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0079]FIG. 27 is a diagram depicting the operation timing ofcommunication terminal equipment and beacon signal generating meansaccording to the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0080]FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a twentieth embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0081] To facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, adescription will be given, with reference to the accompanying drawings,of the best mode for carrying out the invention.

[0082] Embodiment 1

[0083]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a first embodiment(Embodiment 1) of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1denotes an automobile or similar mobile unit; 11 denotes disturbing wavegenerating means for generating a disturbing wave signal; and 13 denotesa directional disturbing wave emitting antenna (disturbing wave emittingmeans).

[0084] The communication inhibiting apparatus according to thisembodiment comprises the disturbing wave generating means 12 and thedirectional disturbing wave emitting antenna 13, and forcefully inhibitsthe use of the communication terminal equipment 11 in the driver's seatof the mobile unit 1.

[0085] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0086] The disturbing wave generating means 12 generates a signal of afrequency in the receiving frequency band of the communication terminalequipment 11. The signal thus generated is emitted, as a disturbing wavefor the communication terminal equipment 11, from the directionaldisturbing wave emitting antenna 13 toward the driver's seat of themobile unit 1 with low intensity sufficient for propagation only in themobile unit 1.

[0087] With the disturbing wave thus directed specifically thereto, thecommunication terminal equipment 11, if placed in the driver's seat, canno longer operate normally and hence is disabled. In this way, thedriver of the mobile unit 1 is inhibited from using the communicationterminal equipment in the driver's seat. Furthermore, since thedisturbing wave emitting antenna 13 is directional, the communicationterminal equipment 11 can be used in other seats than the driver's one.

[0088] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, the signalgenerated by the disturbing wave generating means 12 is emitted, as adisturbing wave, from the directional disturbing wave emitting antenna13 specifically to the driver's seat of the mobile unit 1, by which itis possible to inhibit the driver of the mobile unit 1 from using thecommunication terminal equipment 11 in the driver's seat.

[0089] Embodiment 2

[0090]FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting the configuration of a communicationinhibiting apparatus according to a second embodiment (Embodiment 2) ofthe present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 14 denotes the backof the driver's seat with the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13(disturbing wave emitting means) embedded therein; the configuration ofthis embodiment is identical with the FIG. 3 configuration of Embodiment1 except the above.

[0091] The communication inhibiting apparatus of this embodiment is alsocomposed of the disturbing wave generating means 12 and the directionaldisturbing wave emitting antenna 13, and is intended to inhibit the useof the communication terminal equipment 11, such as a portabletelephone, in the driver's seat of the mobile unit 1 such as anautomobile.

[0092] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0093] Since the directional disturbing wave emitting antenna 13 isembedded in the back of the driver's seat of the mobile unit 1, thedisturbing wave emitting antenna 13 can be installed extremely close tothe position where the communication equipment 11 is usually used andhence kept out of the way; thus, the disturbing wave can easily befocused at the driver's seat alone.

[0094] As described above, according to Embodiment 2, the signalgenerated by the disturbing wave generating means 12 is emitted, as adisturbing wave, from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13 embeddedin the back of the driver's seat of the mobile unit 1, by which it ispossible to inhibit the driver of the mobile unit 1 from using thecommunication terminal equipment 11 in the driver's seat; furthermore,the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13 can be installed out of the wayof the use of the communication terminal equipment by a fellowpassenger.

[0095] Embodiment 3

[0096]FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting the configuration of a communicationinhibiting apparatus according to a third embodiment (Embodiment 3) ofthe present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 15 denotes speeddetecting means (travel/stop detecting means) for detecting thetravel/stop of the mobile unit 1 such an automobile, and 16 denotescontrol means for controlling the disturbing wave generating means 12based on the result of detection by the speed detecting means 15; theconfiguration of this embodiment is identical with the FIG. 3configuration of Embodiment 1 except the above.

[0097] The communication inhibiting apparatus of this embodiment iscomposed of the disturbing wave generating means 12, the disturbing waveemitting antenna (disturbing wave emitting means) 13, the speeddetecting means 15 and the control means 16, and is intended to inhibitthe use of the communication terminal equipment 11, such as a portabletelephone, while the mobile unit 1 is traveling; this embodiment usesthe speed detecting means 15 as the travel/stop detecting means, andemits the disturbing wave during traveling of the mobile unit 1.

[0098] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0099] The speed detecting means 15 detects the travel/stop of themobile unit 1 based on its travel speed, and when the travel speed is 0,that is, when the mobile unit 1 is at a standstill, the speed detectingmeans 15 sends to the control means 16 information indicating that themobile unit 1 is at a standstill.

[0100] The control means 16 responds to the information from the speeddetecting means 15 to control the disturbing wave generating means 12not to generate the disturbing wave.

[0101] Thus, when the mobile unit 1 is at a standstill, thecommunication terminal equipment 11 can be used.

[0102] On the other hand, when the mobile unit 1 is traveling, the speeddetecting means 15 sends to the control means 16 information indicatingthat the mobile unit 1 is traveling. The control means 16 responds tothe information from the speed detecting means 15 to control thedisturbing wave generating means 12 to emit the disturbing wave from thedisturbing wave emitting antenna 13.

[0103] Thus, when the mobile unit 1 is traveling, the communicationterminal equipment 11 cannot be used; therefore, if the necessity forusing the communication terminal equipment 11 arises, the driver isrequired to stop the driving of the mobile unit 1.

[0104] Incidentally, by using a directional antenna as the disturbingwave emitting antenna 13 as in Embodiments 1 and 2, the person who isinhibited from using the communication terminal equipment 11 duringtraveling of the mobile unit 1 can easily be narrowed down to the driverin the driver's seat.

[0105] As described above, according to Embodiment 3, the travel orstandstill of the mobile unit 1 is detected by the speed detecting means15, and if the mobile unit 1 is traveling, the control means 16 controlsthe disturbing wave generating means 12 to emit the disturbing wave,inhibiting the use of the communication terminal equipment 11.

[0106] Embodiment 4

[0107]FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting the configuration of a communicationinhibiting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment (Embodiment 4) ofthe present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 17 denotes ahandbrake (travel/stop detecting means) of the mobile unit 1 such as anautomobile; the configuration of this embodiment is identical with theFIG. 5 configuration of Embodiment 3 except the above.

[0108] The communication inhibiting apparatus of this embodiment iscomposed of the disturbing wave generating means 12, the disturbing waveemitting antenna (disturbing wave emitting means) 13, the control means16 and the handbrake 17, and is intended to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment 11 such as a portable telephone whilethe mobile unit 1 is traveling; this embodiment uses the handbrake asthe travel/stop detecting means, and emits the disturbing wave while themobile unit 1 is traveling.

[0109] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0110] When the mobile unit 1 is at a standstill, the control means 16detects the on state of the handbrake and controls the disturbing wavegenerating means 12 not to generate the disturbing wave.

[0111] Thus, while the mobile unit 1 is at a standstill, thecommunication terminal equipment 11 can be used.

[0112] On the other hand, when the handbrake 17 is released the mobileunit 1 starts to travel, the control means 16 detects the off state ofthe handbrake 17 and controls the disturbing wave generating means 12 toemit the disturbing wave from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13.

[0113] Thus, when the mobile unit 1 is traveling, the communicationterminal equipment 11 cannot be used; therefore, if the necessity forusing the communication terminal equipment 11 arises, the driver isrequired to stop the driving of the mobile unit 1 and put on thehandbrake 17.

[0114] As described above, according to Embodiment 7, the travel orstandstill of the mobile unit 1 is detected by the handbrake 17, andwhile the mobile unit 1 is traveling, the control means 16 controls thedisturbing wave generating means 12 to generate the disturbing wave,inhibiting the use of the communication terminal equipment 11.

[0115] Embodiment 5

[0116]FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting the configuration of a communicationinhibiting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment (Embodiment 5) ofthe present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 11 denotes aportable telephone or similar communication terminal equipment; 12denotes a disturbing wave generating means for generating a disturbingwave signal; 13 denotes a disturbing wave emitting antenna (disturbingwave emitting means); and 16 denotes control means for controlling thedisturbing wave generating means 12 to generate the disturbing wavesignal intermittently on a pulse-wise basis.

[0117] The communication inhibiting apparatus of this embodiment iscomposed of the disturbing wave generating means 12, the disturbing waveemitting antenna 13 and the control means, and is intended to inhibitthe use of the communication terminal equipment 11 at places where it isundesirable to use the communication terminal equipment 11 such as aportable telephone.

[0118] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0119]FIG. 8 is s diagram showing the emission timing of the disturbingwave. The disturbing wave generating means 12 is controlled by thecontrol means 16 to intermittently generate the disturbing wave in theform of pulses from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13 with lowintensity as depicted in FIG. 8.

[0120] Accordingly, even if a user tries to use the communicationterminal equipment 11 at a place where the use of the communicationterminal equipment 11 is undesirable, the intermittently emitteddisturbing wave seriously deteriorates the speech quality, making itvirtually difficult to use the terminal equipment.

[0121] Thus, the use of the communication terminal equipment 11 isinhibited by emitting the disturbing wave to the place where the use ofthe communication terminal equipment 11 is undesirable. Furthermore, theintermittent generation of the disturbing wave signal in pulse form bythe disturbing wave generating means 12 under the control of the controlmeans reduces the power consumption of the disturbing wave generatingmeans 12.

[0122] As described above, according to Embodiment 5, the disturbingwave generating means 12 intermittently generates the disturbing wave inthe form of pulses from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13 to theplace where the use of the communication terminal equipment 11 isundesirable, by which it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment 11 and reduce the power consumption ofthe disturbing wave generating means 12.

[0123] Embodiment 6

[0124]FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting the configuration of a communicationinhibiting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment (Embodiment 6) ofthe present invention. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 18 denotes atransmitting wave detecting antenna for receiving a transmitting wavefrom the communication terminal equipment 11 such as a portabletelephone; 19 denotes transmitting wave detecting means for detecting,from the transmitting wave received by the transmitting wave detectingantenna 18, the outputting of the transmitting wave from thecommunication terminal equipment 11; and 16 denotes control means forcontrolling the disturbing wave generating means 12 based on the resultof detection by the transmitting wave detecting means 19. Theconfiguration of this embodiment is identical with the FIG. 7configuration of Embodiment 7 except the above.

[0125] The communication inhibiting apparatus of this embodiment iscomposed of the transmitting wave detecting antenna 18, the transmittingwave detecting means 19, the control means 16, the disturbing wavegenerating means 12 and the disturbing wave emitting antenna (disturbingwave emitting means) 13, and is intended to stop the use of thecommunication terminal equipment 11 such as a portable telephone whenthe communication terminal equipment 11 is used at a place where its useis undesirable.

[0126] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0127]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation timing of thecommunication terminal equipment 11 and the disturbing wave generatingmeans 12. When a user uses the communication terminal equipment 11 at aplace where its use is undesirable and the communication terminalequipment 11 outputs a transmitting wave accordingly, the transmittingwave detecting means 19 detects the transmitting wave received by thetransmitting wave detecting antenna 18, and sends to the control means16 information that the communication terminal equipment 11 is in use.

[0128] Upon receiving the information that the communication terminalequipment 11 is being used at the place where its use is undesirable,the control means 16 controls the disturbing wave generating means 12 toemit the disturbing wave from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13 asshown in FIG. 10, thereby preventing the communication from thecommunication terminal equipment 11.

[0129] Thus, the disturbing wave is emitted to the place where the useof the communication terminal equipment 11 is undesirable, therebyinhibiting the use of the communication terminal equipment 11. And, whenthe communication terminal equipment 11 outputs no transmitting wave,the control means 16 controls the disturbing wave generating means 12 tostop the emission of the disturbing wave 12, reducing the powerconsumption of the disturbing wave generating means 12.

[0130] As described above, according to Embodiment 6, when thecommunication terminal equipment 11 is used at the place where its useis undesirable, the disturbing wave generating means 12 emits thedisturbing wave from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13, by whichit is possible to inhibit the use of the communication terminalequipment 11 and cut the power consumption of the disturbing wavegenerating means 12.

[0131] Embodiment 7

[0132]FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a seventh embodiment(Embodiment 7) of the present invention. In FIG. 11, reference numeral20 denotes an antenna for receiving the transmitted wave from thecommunication terminal equipment 11 such as a portable telephone andemitting the disturbing wave (disturbing wave emitting means); and 21denotes an antenna duplexer for sending to the transmitted wavedetecting means 19 the transmitted wave from the communication terminalequipment 11 received by the antenna 20 and for supplying the signalfrom the disturbing wave generating means 12 to the antenna 20. Theconfiguration of this embodiment is identical with the FIG. 9configuration of Embodiment 6 except the above.

[0133] The communication inhibiting apparatus of this embodiment iscomposed of the antenna 20, the antenna duplexer 21, the transmittedwave detecting means 19, the control means 16, and the disturbing wavegenerating means, and is intended to stop the use of the communicationterminal equipment 11 such as a portable telephone when thecommunication terminal equipment 11 is used at a place where its use isundesirable.

[0134] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0135] When a user uses the communication terminal equipment 11 at aplace where its use is undesirable and the communication terminalequipment 11 outputs a transmitting wave accordingly, the transmittedwave detecting means 19 detects the transmitted wave received by thetransmitted wave detecting antenna 18 via the antenna duplexer 21, andsends to the control means 16 information that the communicationterminal equipment 11 is in use.

[0136] Upon receiving the information that the communication terminalequipment 11 is being used at the place where its use is undesirable,the control means 16 controls the disturbing wave generating means 12 toemit the disturbing wave from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13via the antenna duplexer 21 as shown in FIG. 10, thereby preventing thecommunication from the communication terminal equipment 11.

[0137] Thus, the disturbing wave is emitted to the place where the useof the communication terminal equipment 11 is undesirable, therebyinhibiting the use of the communication terminal equipment 11. And, whenthe communication terminal equipment 11 outputs no transmitting wave,the control means 16 controls the disturbing wave generating means 12 tostop the emission of the disturbing wave 12, reducing the powerconsumption of the disturbing wave generating means 12.

[0138] As described above, according to Embodiment 7, when thecommunication terminal equipment 11 is used at the place where its useis undesirable, the disturbing wave generating means 12 emits thedisturbing wave from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13, by whichit is possible to inhibit the use of the communication terminalequipment 11 and cut the power consumption of the disturbing wavegenerating means 12.

[0139] Moreover, the use of the antenna duplexer means 21 makes itpossible to use one antenna both as the disturbing wave emitting antenna13 and as the transmitted wave detecting antenna 18 in Embodiment 6.

[0140] Embodiment 8

[0141] The communication inhibiting apparatus according to Embodiment 8is identical in configuration with the apparatus of an eighth embodiment(Embodiment 8) depicted in FIG. 9, and is intended to disable thecommunication terminal equipment 11 such as a portable telephone after acertain elapsed time in the case where the communication terminalequipment 11 is used at a place where its use is undesirable.

[0142] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0143]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation timing of thecommunication terminal equipment 11 and the disturbing wave generatingmeans 12. When a user uses the communication terminal equipment 11 atthe place where its use is undesirable and the communication terminalequipment 11 outputs a transmitting wave accordingly, the informationthat the communication terminal equipment 11 is in use is sent to thecontrol means 16 as is the case with Embodiment 6.

[0144] Upon receiving the information that the communication terminalequipment 11 is being used at the place where its use is undesirable,the control means 16 controls the disturbing wave generating means 12 toemit the disturbing wave from the disturbing wave emitting antenna(disturbing wave emitting means ) 13 after the lapse of a predeterminedtime T as shown in FIG. 12, thereby preventing the communication fromthe communication terminal equipment 11.

[0145] The predetermined time T after which the disturbing wave isemitted is set not long enough to establish a call but long enough tosend and receive a data signal, a control signal and so on.

[0146] Accordingly, in the case of an incoming call to the communicationterminal equipment 11, the user of the communication terminal equipment11 cannot answer the incoming call but can learn it by an incomingindicator tone or by keeping a history of incoming calls. Furthermore,it is possible to allow the reception of a character mail, voice mail orsimilar incoming call of a short duration. It is also possible to avoiddisturbing a transmitting operation for position registration and keepthe communication terminal equipment 11 in its standby state at alltimes. As a result, the communication terminal equipment 11 does notrepeat channel scanning and the trial operation for positionregistration, making it possible to suppress unnecessary powerconsumption.

[0147] As described above, according to Embodiment 8, when thecommunication terminal equipment 11 is used at the place where its useis undesirable, the disturbing wave generating means 12 emits thedisturbing wave from the disturbing wave emitting antenna 13, by whichit is possible not only to inhibit the use of the communication terminalequipment 11 but also to cut the power consumption of the disturbingwave generating means 12.

[0148] Besides, since the disturbing wave is emitted the predeterminedtime T after the detection of the transmitted wave from thecommunication terminal equipment 11, a data signal, a control signal andso on can be transmitted and received during the predetermined timeinterval T.

[0149] Embodiment 9

[0150]FIG. 13 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting apparatus according to a ninth embodiment(Embodiment 9) of the present invention. In FIG. 13, reference numeral22 denotes storage means wherein there is stored information aboutfrequency bands used in various mobile communication systems of thecommunication terminal equipment 11 such as a portable telephone; thisembodiment is identical in configuration with Embodiment 6 depicted inFIG. 9.

[0151] The communication inhibiting apparatus of this embodiment iscomposed of the transmitted wave detecting antenna 18, the transmittedwave detecting means 19, the storage means 22, the control means 16, thedisturbing wave generating means 12 and the disturbing wave emittingantenna (disturbing wave emitting means) 13, and is adapted to narrowthe band of the disturbing wave that is emitted to inhibit the use ofthe communication terminal equipment 11 when it is used at the placewhere its use is undesirable.

[0152] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0153]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between thefrequency of the transmitting wave from the communication terminalequipment 11 and the frequency of the disturbing wave. Upon detectingthe transmitting wave of the communication terminal equipment 11 by thetransmitted wave detecting means 19, the control means 16 measures atransmitting wave frequency channel in an up-link frequency band, andspecifies the receiving frequency channel in a down-link frequency bandthat is used corresponding to the transmitting wave frequency, byreferring to the frequency band information on various mobilecommunication systems prestored in the storage means 22.

[0154] And, the control means 16 controls the disturbing wave generatingmeans 12 to emit a disturbing wave of the thus specified receivingfrequency. The emission of the disturbing wave of the specifiedreceiving frequency is aimed at narrowing the band of the disturbingwave, thereby preventing unnecessary disturbing operations other thanthe intended one and further cutting the power consumption of thedisturbing wave generating means 12.

[0155] As described above, according to Embodiment 9, information on thefrequency bands used in various mobile communication systems areprestored in the storage means 22; and when the communication terminalequipment 11 is used at the place where its use is undesirable, thecontrol means specifies, by referring to the storage means 22, thereceiving frequency channel of the communication terminal equipment 22that corresponds to its transmitting frequency channel detected by thetransmitted wave detecting means 19, and controls the disturbing wavegenerating means 12 to generate the disturbing wave at the specifiedreceiving frequency. This embodiment provides a narrow-band disturbingwave for inhibiting the use of the communication terminal equipment 11,thereby preventing unnecessary disturbing operations other than theintended one and, at the same time, reducing the power consumption ofthe disturbing wave generating means 12.

[0156] Embodiment 10

[0157] The configuration of the communication inhibiting apparatusaccording to a tenth embodiment (Embodiment 10) is identical with theconfiguration of Embodiment 9 shown in FIG. 13; the storage means 22 hasprestored therein information about TDMA time slots on the time axis ina TDMA (time division Multiple Access) mobile communication system aswell as the frequency band information about various mobilecommunication systems.

[0158] This embodiment is intended to narrow the band of the disturbingwave that is emitted to inhibit the use of the communication terminalequipment 11 such as a portable telephone of the TDMA system at theplace where its use is undesirable, and this embodiment is to limit theemission of the disturbing wave on the time axis.

[0159] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0160]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between thetransmission timing of the communication terminal equipment 11 and thedisturbing wave emission timing. Upon detecting the transmitted wavefrom the communication terminal equipment 11 by the transmitted wavedetecting means 19, the control means 19 measures the transmitting wavefrequency channel and, if the wave is being intermittently transmittedin pulse form, measures its timing as well.

[0161] And, based on the measured transmitting wave frequency channeland timing information, the control means 16 refers to the frequencyband information on various TDMA mobile communication systems and thetime slot information on the time axis prestored in the storage means22, thereby specifying the receiving frequency channel and the receivingtime slots that are used corresponding to the detected transmitting wavefrequency channel.

[0162] Furthermore, the control means 16 controls the disturbing wavegenerating means 12 to emit a disturbing wave of the same frequency asthe specified receiving frequency in synchronization with the receivingtime slots. Thus, this embodiment narrows the band of the disturbingwave and intermittently emits it without impairing the communicationinhibiting function, thereby preventing unnecessary disturbingoperations other than the intended one and further cutting the powerconsumption of the disturbing wave generating means 12.

[0163] As described above, according to Embodiment 10, information onthe frequency bands used in various mobile communication systems thetime slot information on the time axis in various TDMA mobilecommunication systems are prestored in the storage means 22; and whenthe communication terminal equipment 11 is used at the place where itsuse is undesirable, the control means specifies, by referring to thestorage means 22, the receiving frequency channel of the communicationterminal equipment 22 and the time slots that correspond to thetransmitting frequency channel and timing information of thecommunication terminal equipment 11 detected by the transmitted wavedetecting means 19, and controls the disturbing wave generating means 12to generate the disturbing wave of the specified receiving frequency insynchronization with the receiving time slots. This embodiment narrowsthe band of and intermittently emits the disturbing wave for inhibitingthe use of the communication terminal equipment 11, thereby preventingunnecessary disturbing operations other than the intended one and, atthe same time, reducing the power consumption of the disturbing wavegenerating means 12.

[0164] Embodiment 11

[0165]FIG. 16 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to an eleventh embodiment(Embodiment 11) of the present invention. In FIG. 16, reference numeral32 denotes beacon signal generating means for generating a beacon signalof a predetermined frequency to a limited space with low power, and 31denotes a portable telephone or similar communication terminal equipmentthat possesses a function of detecting the beacon signal generated bythe beacon signal generating means 32 and turns of the communicationfunction by itself.

[0166] Incidentally, upon detection of the beacon signal, thecommunication terminal equipment 31 turns off the communicationfunction, but it is assumed that the communication terminal equipment 11can perform automatic communications for position registration and soon.

[0167] The communication inhibiting system of this embodiment iscomposes of the communication terminal equipment 31 added with a newfunction and the beacon signal generating means 32, and is intended toinhibit the use of the communication terminal equipment 31 at the placewhere its use is undesirable.

[0168]FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the operation of thecommunication terminal equipment 31. When the communication terminalequipment 31 in normal communication enters an area where its use isundesirable and detects the beacon signal of a predetermined frequencyfrom the beacon signal generating means 32, the terminal equipment turnsoff the communication function by itself as depicted in FIG. 17.

[0169] In this instance, the automatic communication function of thecommunication terminal equipment 31 for position registration and soforth is normally working; accordingly, it is possible to indicate eachincoming call, by an incoming indicator or by keeping a history ofincoming calls, to the user of the communication terminal equipment 31who is inhibited from answering the call. Furthermore, it is possible toallow the reception of a character mail, voice mail or similar incomingcall.

[0170] As described above, according to Embodiment 11, upon detectingthe beacon signal of a predetermined frequency generated by the beaconsignal generating means 32, the communication terminal equipment 31turns off the communication function by itself, and consequently, it ispossible to inhibit the use of the communication terminal equipment 31at the place where its use is undesirable; but, since the incoming callreceiving function is held on, it is possible to indicate an incomingcall to the user.

[0171] Embodiment 12

[0172]FIG. 18 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a twelfth embodiment(Embodiment 12) of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the beacon signalgenerating means 32 emits, as the beacon signal, an infrared-ray orsimilar optical signal of a predetermined frequency to a limited areawith low power, and the communication terminal equipment 31 such as aportable telephone has a function of receiving the infrared-ray orsimilar optical signal emitted thereto.

[0173] The communication inhibiting system of this embodiment is alsocomposed of the communication terminal equipment 31 and the beaconsignal generating means 32, and is intended to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment 31 in a relatively narrow coverage areaof the infrared-ray or like optical signal.

[0174] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0175] The beacon signal generating means 32 emits the beacon signal ofa predetermined frequency, as an infrared-ray or similar optical signal,to a limited area. Upon receiving the beacon signal in the form of aninfrared-ray or like optical signal, the communication terminalequipment 31 turns off the communication function by itself. Thecall-receiving function of the terminal equipment is the same as inEmbodiment 11.

[0176] As described above, according to Embodiment 12, the communicationterminal equipment 31 turns off its communication function by itselfupon receiving the beacon signal in the form of an optical signal fromthe beacon signal generating means 32, by which it is possible toinhibit the use of the communication terminal equipment 31 at the placewhere its use is undesirable; furthermore, since the call-receivingfunction is kept on, it is possible to indicate an incoming call to theuser.

[0177] Embodiment 13

[0178]FIG. 19 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a thirteenth embodiment(Embodiment 13) of the present invention. In FIG. 19, the beacon signalgenerating means 32 is embedded in the back of the driver's seat of themobile unit 1 such as an automobile. This embodiment is identical inconfiguration with Embodiment 11 shown in FIG. 16 except the above.

[0179] The communication inhibiting system of this embodiment iscomposed of the communication terminal equipment 31 such as a portabletelephone and the beacon signal generating means 32, and is intended toinhibit the use of the communication terminal equipment 31 in thedriver's seat of the mobile unit 1.

[0180] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0181] The beacon signal generating means 32 embedded in the driver'sseat 14 is generating a beacon signal of a predetermined frequency to alimited area. Upon receiving the beacon signal, the communicationterminal equipment 31 turns off the communication function by itself.The call-receiving function is the same as in Embodiment 11.

[0182] As described above, according to Embodiment 13, when the drivertries to use the communication terminal equipment 31 in the driver'sseat, the communication terminal equipment 31 detects the beacon signalgenerated by the beacon signal generating means 32 and turns off thecommunication function, by which it is possible to inhibit the driver ofthe mobile unit 1 from using the terminal equipment; furthermore, sincethe call-receiving function is kept on, it is possible to indicate anincoming call to the user.

[0183] Besides, since the beacon signal generating means 32 is installedextremely close to the position where the communication terminalequipment 31 is used, the beacon signal can easily be focused at thedriver's seat alone, and since the beacon signal generating means isembedded in the back of the driver's seat 14, it can be held out of theway.

[0184] Embodiment 14

[0185] The communication inhibiting system according to a fourteenthembodiment (Embodiment 14) is identical in configuration with Embodiment11 shown in FIG. 16.

[0186] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0187]FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the operation of thecommunication terminal equipment 31. In the case where the communicationterminal equipment 31 in its normal communication state enters into aplace where its use is undesirable and detects the beacon signalgenerated by the beacon signal generating means 32, the communicationterminal equipment leaves the normal operation mode and enters anautomatic answering telephone mode, turning off the communicationfunction.

[0188] As described above, according to Embodiment 14, upon detectingthe beacon signal generated by the beacon signal generating means 32,the communication terminal equipment 3lenters the automatic answeringtelephone mode by itself and turns off the communication function, bywhich it is possible to inhibit the use of the communication terminalequipment 31; furthermore, since it enters the automatic answeringtelephone mode, messages of incoming calls can be recorded.

[0189] Embodiment 15

[0190]FIG. 21 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a fifteenth embodiment(Embodiment 15) of the present invention. In FIG. 21, reference numeral33 denotes emergency contact addresses as of a police station, anemergency hospital and a firehouse; the communication terminal equipment31 such as a portable telephone possesses a function of registeringtherewith telephone numbers of the emergency contact addresses 33 sothat a call can be made to the registered telephone number of thedesired one of the emergency contact addresses 33 even while thecommunication function is off after the detection of the beacon signal.This embodiment is identical in configuration with Embodiment 11 of FIG.16 except the above.

[0191] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0192] Upon detecting the beacon signal of a predetermined frequencygenerated by the beacon signal generating means 32, the communicationterminal equipment 31 turns off the communication function by itself,but when it becomes necessary to make an emergency call to the emergencycontact address 33 such as a police station, emergency hospital orfirehouse, it is possible to originate a call to the telephone number ofthe registered emergency contact address.

[0193] As described above, according to Embodiment 15, upon detectingthe beacon signal generated by the beacon signal generating means, thecommunication terminal equipment 31 turns off the communication functionby itself, by which it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment 31 at the place where its use isundesirable; furthermore, it is possible to deal flexibly with anemergency by making an emergency call to the emergency contact address33.

[0194] Embodiment 16

[0195]FIG. 22 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a sixteenth embodiment(Embodiment 16) of the present invention. In FIG. 22, reference numeral34 denotes notifying means of the communication terminal equipment 31,such as a portable telephone, for notifying the user that thecommunication function is off; this embodiment is identical withEmbodiment 11 of FIG. 16 except the above.

[0196] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0197] When the communication terminal equipment 31 turns off thecommunication function upon detecting the beacon signal generated by thebeacon signal generating means 32, the notifying means 34 notifies theuser of the off state of the communication function by producing abeeping sound, providing a character display, or turning on a lamp.

[0198] As described above, according to Embodiment 16, upon detectingthe beacon signal generated by the beacon signal generating means, thecommunication terminal equipment 31 turns off the communication functionby itself, by which it is possible to inhibit the use of thecommunication terminal equipment 31 at the place where its use isundesirable; furthermore, it is also possible to notify the user thatthe communication function is off.

[0199] Embodiment 17

[0200]FIG. 23 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a seventeenth embodiment(Embodiment 17) of the present invention. In FIG. 23, reference numeral15 denotes speed detecting means (travel/stop detecting means) fordetecting whether the mobile unit 1 such as an automobile is travelingor at a standstill; and 16 denotes control means for controlling thebeacon signal generating means 32 based on the result of detection bythe speed detecting means 15. This embodiment is identical inconfiguration with Embodiment 11 of FIG. 16 except the above.

[0201] The communication inhibiting system of this embodiment iscomposed of the communication terminal equipment 31 such as a portabletelephone, the speed detecting means 15, the control means and thebeacon signal generating means 32, and is intended to inhibit the use ofthe communication terminal equipment 31 while the mobile unit 1 istraveling; the speed detecting means 15 is used as travel/stop detectingmeans, and the beacon signal is generated during driving of the mobileunit 1.

[0202] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0203] Based on the travel speed of the mobile unit 1, the speeddetecting means 15 detects whether the mobile unit is traveling or at astandstill, and when the travel speed is zero and the mobile unit 1 isstationary, the speed detecting means 15 sends to the control means 16information indicating that the mobile unit 1 is stationary. Uponreceiving the information, the control means 16 controls the beaconsignal generating means 32 to generate no beacon signal.

[0204] Thus, when the mobile unit 1 is stationary, the communicationterminal equipment 31 can be used.

[0205] On the other hand, when the mobile unit 1 is traveling, the speeddetecting means 15 sends to the control means 16 information that themobile unit 1 is traveling. Upon receiving the information indicative ofdriving, the control means 16 controls the beacon signal generatingmeans 32 to emit the beacon signal of a predetermined frequency to alimited area.

[0206] Thus, while he mobile unit 1 is traveling, the communicationterminal equipment 31 cannot be used, and when it becomes necessary touse the communication terminal equipment 31, the driver needs to stopthe mobile unit 1.

[0207] As described above, according to Embodiment 17, the speeddetecting means 15 detects whether the mobile unit 1 is traveling orstationary, and when the mobile unit 1 is traveling, the control means16 controls the beacon signal generating means to generate the beaconsignal, thereby inhibiting the use of the communication terminalequipment 31.

[0208] Embodiment 18

[0209]FIG. 24 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to an eighteenth embodiment(Embodiment 18) of the present invention. In FIG. 24, reference numeral16 denotes control means for controlling the beacon signal generatingmeans 32 to generate the beacon signal intermittently in pulse form sothat the communication terminal equipment 31 such as a portabletelephone remains disabled after the detection of each beacon signal fora certain time at least longer than the intervals between beacon signalsgenerated one after another. This embodiment is identical inconfiguration with Embodiment 11 of FIG. 16 except the above.

[0210] The communication inhibiting system of this embodiment iscomposed of the communication terminal equipment 31, the control means16 and the beacon signal generating means 32.

[0211] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0212]FIG. 25 is a diagram depicting the beacon signal generatingtiming. The beacon signal generating means 32 generates, under thecontrol of the control means 16, beacon signals intermittently in theform of pulses toward a limited area. Accordingly, the communicationterminal equipment 31 remains disabled because of the intermittentgeneration of beacon signals.

[0213] Thus, the use of the communication terminal equipment 31 isinhibited by generating the beacon signals to the place where the use ofthe communication terminal equipment 31 is undesirable. Furthermore,since the control means 16 controls the beacon signal generating means32 to intermittently generate the beacon signals just like pulses, thepower consumption of the beacon signal generating means 32 is reduced.

[0214] As described above, according to Embodiment 18, the beacon signalgenerating means 32 intermittently generates the beacon signals in theform of pulses to the place where the use of the communication terminalequipment 31 is undesirable, by which it is possible to inhibit the useof the communication terminal equipment and cut the power consumption ofthe beacon signal generating means 32.

[0215] Embodiment 19

[0216]FIG. 26 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a nineteenth embodiment(Embodiment 19) of the present invention. In FIG. 26, reference numeral18 denotes a transmitted wave detecting antenna for receiving atransmitted wave from the communication terminal equipment 31 such as aportable telephone; 19 denotes transmitted wave detecting means fordetecting, from the transmitted wave received by the transmitted wavedetecting antenna 18, that the communication terminal equipment 31 hasoutput the transmitting wave; and 16 denotes control means forcontrolling the beacon signal generating means 32 based on the result ofdetection by the transmitted wave detecting means 19. This embodiment isidentical in configuration with Embodiment 11 of FIG. 16.

[0217] The communication inhibiting system of this embodiment iscomposed of the communication terminal equipment 31,the transmitted wavedetecting antenna 18, the transmitted wave detecting means 19, thecontrol means 16 and the beacon signal generating means 32, and isintended to stop the use of the communication terminal equipment 31 ifit is used at the place where its use is undesirable.

[0218] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0219]FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the operation timing of thecommunication terminal equipment 31 and the beacon signal generatingmeans 32. If the user uses the communication terminal equipment 11 andthe transmitting wave is output therefrom at the place where its use isundesirable, the transmitted wave detecting means 19 detected thetransmitted wave received by the transmitted wave detecting antenna 18,and send to the control means 16 information indicating the use of thecommunication terminal equipment 31.

[0220] Upon receiving the information indicating the use of thecommunication terminal equipment 31 at the place where its use isundesirable, the control means 16 controls the beacon signal generatingmeans 32 to generate the beacon signal to a limited area to inhibit theuse of the communication terminal equipment 31 as depicted in FIG. 27.

[0221] Thus, the use of the communication terminal equipment 31 isinhibited by generating the beacon signal to the place where the use ofthe communication terminal equipment 31 is undesirable. Moreover, whilethe communication terminal equipment outputs no transmitting wave, thecontrol means 16 controls the beacon signal generating means 32 not togenerate the beacon signal, thereby cutting the power consumption of thebeacon signal generating means 32.

[0222] As described above, according to Embodiment 19, when thecommunication terminal equipment 31 is used at the place where its useis undesirable, the beacon signal generating means 32 generates thebeacon signal, by which the use of the communication terminal equipment32 can be inhibited and the power consumption of the beacon signalgenerating means 32 can be cut.

[0223] Embodiment 20

[0224]FIG. 28 is a diagram depicting the configuration of acommunication inhibiting system according to a twentieth embodiment(Embodiment 20) of the present invention. In FIG. 28, reference numeral31 denotes a portable telephone or similar communication terminalequipment which, upon detecting the beacon signal, stops alltransmitting operations including position registration and so forth; 32denotes a small, non-directional beacon signal generating means; and 35a heart pacemaker.

[0225] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described below.

[0226] By incorporating the small, non-directional beacon signalgenerating means 32 in a gear (a medical device, the passenger cabin ofan airplane, or the like) which is readily affected by waves transmittedfrom the communication terminal equipment 31, or by carrying such beaconsignal generating means with a user of the heart pacemaker 35, forexample, it is possible to prevent the transmitting operation of thecommunication terminal equipment 31. Since the beacon signal has apredetermined frequency and needs only to function normally in a limitedarea extremely close thereto, a very low output level is enough;therefore, it is easy to prevent the terminal equipment from exertingbad influence on the above-mentioned gear.

[0227] As described above, according to Embodiment 20, by incorporatingthe beacon signal generating means 32 in a gear which is readilyaffected by the wave transmitted from the communication terminalequipment 31, or by carrying the beacons signal generating means withthe user of the heart pacemaker 31, it is possible to prevent thetransmitting operation of the communication terminal equipment 31 aroundhim.

[0228] Effect of the Invention

[0229] As described above, the communication inhibiting apparatus andthe communication inhibiting system according to the present inventionare suitable to inhibit communications to and from a portable telephoneor similar communication terminal equipment at limited areas where itsuse is undesirable.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication inhibiting apparatus, comprising:disturbing wave generating means for generating a disturbing wave signalwhich disturbs communications to and from a portable telephone orsimilar communication terminal equipment; and disturbing wave emittingmeans for emitting the signal generated by said disturbing wavegenerating means, as said disturbing wave, to said communicationterminal equipment.
 2. The communication inhibiting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said disturbing wave emitting means is installed in thedriver's seat of a mobile unit such as an automobile.
 3. Thecommunication inhibiting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:travel/stop detecting means for detecting whether the automobile orsimilar mobile unit is traveling or stationary; and control means which,upon detecting the travel of said mobile unit by said travel/stopdetecting means, controls the disturbing wave generating means togenerate the disturbing wave signal and, upon detecting the stop of saidmobile unit by said travel/stop detecting means, controls saiddisturbing wave generating means to discontinue the generation of saiddisturbing wave signal.
 4. The communication inhibiting apparatus ofclaim 3 , wherein said travel/stop detecting means is speed detectingmeans for detecting the speed of the mobile unit.
 5. The communicationinhibiting apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said travel/stop detectingmeans is a handbrake of the mobile unit.
 6. The communication inhibitingapparatus of claim 1 , further comprising control means for controllingthe disturbing wave generating means to generate the disturbing wavesignal intermittently in the form of pulses.
 7. The communicationinhibiting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: transmitted wavedetecting means for detecting a transmitted wave from the communicationterminal equipment; and control means for controlling the disturbingwave generating means to generate the disturbing wave signal upondetecting said transmitted wave by said transmitted wave detectingmeans.
 8. The communication inhibiting apparatus of claim 7 , furthercomprising antenna duplexer means for supplying the disturbing waveemitting means with the disturbing wave signal generated by thedisturbing wave generating means and for supplying the transmitted wavedetecting means with the transmitted wave from the communicationterminal equipment received from said disturbing wave emitting means. 9.The communication inhibiting apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said controlmeans controls the disturbing wave generating means to generate thedisturbing wave signal a predetermined time after the detection of thetransmitted wave by the transmitted wave detecting means.
 10. Thecommunication inhibiting apparatus of claim 7 , which further comprisesstorage means for storing frequency channel information on variousmobile communication systems and wherein, upon detecting the transmittedwave from the communication terminal equipment by the transmitted wavedetecting means, the control means estimates, based on the frequencychannel information stored in said storage means, the receivingfrequency of said communication terminal equipment which is usedcorresponding to the frequency of said transmitted wave, and controlsthe frequency of the disturbing wave signal which is generated by thedisturbing wave generating means.
 11. The communication inhibitingapparatus of claim 7 , which further comprises storage means for storingfrequency band information and TDMA slot information on the time axis ofTDMA mobile communication systems and wherein, upon detecting thetransmitted wave from the communication terminal equipment by thetransmitted wave detecting means, the control means estimates, based onthe frequency band information and the TDMA slot information stored insaid storage means, the receiving frequency of the communicationterminal equipment which is used corresponding to the frequency of saidtransmitted wave, and controls the frequency and generation timing ofthe disturbing wave signal which is generated by the disturbing wavegenerating means.
 12. A communication inhibiting system, comprising:beacon signal generating means for generating a beacon signal of apredetermined frequency to a limited area; and a portable telephone orsimilar communication terminal equipment which detects the beacon signalgenerated by said beacon signal generating means and turns off itscommunication function.
 13. The communication inhibiting system of claim12 , wherein said beacon signal generating means generates aninfrared-ray or similar optical signal as the beacon signal.
 14. Thecommunication inhibiting system of claim 12 , wherein said beacon signalgenerating means is installed in the driver's seat of an automobile orsimilar mobile unit.
 15. The communication inhibiting system of claim 12, wherein, upon detecting the beacon signal, the communication terminalequipment is set in an automatic answering mode.
 16. The communicationinhibiting system of claim 12 , wherein when said communication terminalequipment keeps its communication function off after the detection ofthe beacon signal, a call to a pre-registered emergency contact addressis enabled.
 17. The communication inhibiting system of claim 12 ,further comprising notifying means for notifying a user of thecommunication terminal equipment that its communication function is offwhen the communication terminal equipment keeps the communicationfunction off after the detection of the beacon signal.
 18. Thecommunication inhibiting system of claim 12 , further comprising:travel/stop detecting means for detecting whether the automobile orsimilar mobile unit is traveling or stationary; and control means which,upon detecting the travel of said mobile unit by said travel/stopdetecting means, controls the beacon signal generating means to generatethe beacon signal and, upon detecting the stop of said mobile unit bysaid travel/stop detecting means, controls said beacon signal generatingmeans to discontinue the generation of said beacon signal.
 19. Thecommunication inhibiting system of claim 12 , further comprising controlmeans for controlling the beacon signal generating means to generate thebeacon signal intermittently in the form of pulses.
 20. Thecommunication inhibiting system of claim 12 , further comprising:transmitted wave detecting means for detecting a transmitted wave fromthe communication terminal equipment; and control means for controllingthe beacon signal generating means to generate the beacon signal upondetecting said transmitted wave by said transmitted wave detectingmeans.